What type of fish and plants are the most suitable for Aquaponics ?

Aquaponic farming can offer you great satisfactions: tasty and cheap vegetables and legumes as well as healthy fish during all year round. However, in order to obtain the best results you will first need to have some basic information about what aquaponics means and how can you make the most of it. 

 

Aquaponics is a new type of farming which relays on the symbiosis between the plants and the fish. This means that the fish provides the plants the necessary food while the plants, by feeding on the fish’s excrements clean their water, thus making their environment a “comfortable” home. Because the fish are highly sensitive on chemicals, but also because they provide the plants with all the nutrients they need, there will be no need for you to use any pesticides or fertilizers to make your plants grow bigger and stronger, thus obtaining fresh, healthy and organic veggies without too much struggle. 

As you can see the fish you put inside the tank play a great role in the success of your aquaponic farming. This is why, you will need to take good care of them and at the same time pay attention to that type of fish you choose. While basically all types of fish are suitable for the aquaponic system, there are states in which different species of fish are not allowed to be grown inside the house. Thus, before populating your tank with fish make sure that you are allowed to grow that type of fish in your home. 

 

The species of fish which are recommended for the aquaponic system are 

Smallmouth Bass,

Crappie, 

Chinese Catfish,

Tilapia,

Koi, 

Largemouth

and Bluegill. 

However this list is not an exhaustive one and according to the area and state in which you live you can always try with some different types of fish. As well as you take good care of them and your fish are happy, there are great chances that your aquaponic farm will give great results in no less than a year! 

 What type of vegetables can be grown in an aquaponic system?

You may wonder what type of vegetables are you able to grow using the aquaponic system. Well, almost any plant you can think of, excluding, of course, the plants whose fruits grow inside the ground, like potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, garlic and so on. Fruity vegetables like cucumbers, strawberries, tomatoes, squash, okra, pepper, melon; herbs like basil and oregano; different types of beans and peas as well as green leafy vegetables grow very well in this type of system. 

What will amaze you even more is the great taste your veggies and legumes will have. You will not believe that something so good can be grown in your garage or in your living room. They have a far better taste than the veggies you buy from the market as they are all natural, organic and have no other chemical “improvements”. Just what is best of the plant! Your meals will be healthier and tastier!

What are some benefits of Aquaponic Systems?

 

Not only is Aquaponics an organic system based on nature's own workings, but it has a history of human use spanning thousands of years. The tradition of aquaponics goes clear back to the ancient Aztecs, who grew plants on stationary islands called chinampas and manually drew in waste from the surrounding canals to nourish their plants. Farmers in China and Thailand have long used a form of aquaponics by raising fish in their rice paddy fields. Aquaponics has worked in nature and industry for thousands of years.

Here are some benefits of Aquaponic Systems

• You no longer need to water your plants or clean out your fish bowl. Since the system re-circulates the water and the plants clean it out automatically, your fish will be healthy and happy without your interference. People who keep fish know this can save literally hours a week. Flushing fishbowls is very stressful to fish too, and they will live longer, healthier lives without that trauma. As to your plants, their water will no longer get absorbed into the soil and end up evaporating without entering their roots. Aquaponics uses only 2% of the water that soil gardening consumes!
• Save energy - up to 70%, and save money. Aside from the energy you need to circulate the water in the aquaponics system, you should have almost no gardening expenses.
• Never weed or dig again. There's no soil in aquaponics, and thus no weeds!
• Your plants will grow twice as fast. Since aquaponics conditions are optimal and stay that way and food is always available to your plants, they will grow incredibly rapidly and taste absolutely delicious.
• Space-saving. Aquaponics conserves space without crowding plants.

Five Things You Should Take Into Consideration When Building an Aquaponic System

Setting up an aquaponic system , although quite an easy task, requires some basic knowledge of aquaponics. If you have decided to install such a system in your house, then you probably know what this is and how it could help you. However, there may still be things which can interest or help you. Below you will find 5 essential things which you should know in order to obtain spectacular results.

1.      Location

The place where you put your aquaponic system is highly important for the way in which the plants and the fish will develop. In order to obtain great results you should make sure that the temperature from the room is not too high, nor too low, that there is enough light for the plants to prepare their food and that no wind or extreme weather conditions will reach them. Also, make sure that no harming chemical substances can get inside the water as this means death for both your fish and your plants. 

2.      Oxygenating the water

The happier your fish are, the better your system will work! This is why you need to oxygenate the water on a daily basis and make sure your fish have all the “comfort” they need.

3.      Choosing your fish accordingly

The aquaponic system works well with almost all types of fish. Yet, there are states in which you are not allowed to grow whatever type of fish you want, so you will want to see what types of fish you are allowed to have before starting your aquaponic system as you do not want any problems with the law.

4.      Placing the pots

In order to make the harvest much easier, you should place the pots or the entire system at your waits level. This way you will not have to bend over, making the daily care routine a much easier activity. 

5.      Adding additives

There are cases in which your fish may not provide all the nutrients needed for your plants. If the quantity is lower than what the plants need, then you will have to supply them with the respective substances. In most cases you will need to add iron, calcium carbonate or potassium carbonate. 

Aquaponics is an easy activity which will provide you with the necessary vegetables and fish in a short amount of time. Just follow the tips mentioned above and you will have great success in your attempt to grow organic food in your home.

Aquaponic as a Hobby

No matter what age group you are a part of, aquaponics can prove to be rewarding for you. Give it a try and you will never want to live without this system! 

Children

This is the perfect way to make your children responsible. They will need to feed the fish each and every day and make sure that the air pump is working perfectly so that the fish get enough oxygen. Also, they will have to monitor the state of the vegetables and when they get yellowish they need to announce you. These are not easy tasks, but will give them a sense of responsibility and will know that someone relies on them. Also, they will be able to see how fish and plants grow, which will expand their knowledge about the vegetal and animal world.

Retired seniors

When retirement comes, many people seek activities which do not require too much effort. Aquaponic gardening will keep you occupied for a while, yet without getting over your entire day. In addition to that it will spare them of going to the market to buy veggies, it will help them save some money and at the same time will not require them too much effort. If they place the system at their waist level they will not need to bend or stretch, which will make this activity far more pleasant.  

Working  adults

Vegetables are essential for a good nutrition, yet you can not always find fresh, organic veggies in the market. With an aquaponic garden in your house you will have fish and veggies for your family without depending on the market. Also, you will save some money without investing too much of your precious time. 

Aquaponic suitable for all the persons listed above and for many more. In fact, everyone will find this activity enjoyable and rewarding

Basic Things You Need to Know About Aquaponics

If you are thinking of setting up your own aquaponic system but are still not very aware of what this presupposes, then here are some things which will help you understand better its requirements.

The first thing you will need to know about this system is that it combines the principles of aquaculture with those of hydroponic gardening, thus resulting a new and highly effective way of growing plants and fish at the same time. With a tank of no more than 20 square feet and some netted pots you will be able to grow enough plants to supply your entire family and sometimes even gift some to your neighbors. 

  The aquaponic system is a mixture between the aquaculture, as it requires growing fish in a special fish tank and hydroponics, as it involves growing plants with water and nutrients. You will probably wonder what role the fish play in all this business. Well, things are quite easy: the fish excrement contain ammonia which is later decomposed in nitrites and nitrates. The latter substance is benefit for the plants, offering them enough nutrients to grow and develop normally. Thus, there will be no need to supply your plants with chemical substances as they will already have all the food they need.

Because this system heavily relies on fishes (they are the ones providing the food for the plants), you will need to take good care of them in order for the system to give proper results. This means that you will need to make sure that the water has the appropriate temperature, PH level, light as well as the necessary amount of oxygen to accommodate the fish in god conditions. Basically, monitoring the water and feeding the fish is all that you will have to do in order to grow plants in the aquaponic garden. It is quite simple and the results are spectacular

Why Is an Aquaponic System Better than a Hydroponic?

  First, the vegetables will have a better taste as they will grow only with natural food and at their own peace. This will give them that delicious taste you love so much in veggies. Then, the system is simpler, as you will no longer need to feed your plants each and every day. Just make sure that your fish are in good shape and then let nature take its course.

Last, but not least, with the aquaponic system you do not only grow vegetables, but you also have fish which you can use for decorative purposes or you can very well cook delicious meals for you and your family. Aquaponics is an improved version of the hydroponic system. The crops are better and the process is easier. In addition to that you get to eat organic food! What more can you wish for?